History :

Meteorological Centre Ahmedabad was established with the aim of rendering quick and better meteorological services to the Gujarat state, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Diu UTs. The Meteorological Observatory, Ahmedabad was established on 18th January 1893 and the Meteorological Centre, Ahmedabad was established in October 1974. To have efficient administrative control and better technical support, Meteorological Centre Ahmedabad has 15 number of Departmental and 7 number of Part Time Synoptic Observatories, 1 number of Aerodrome Meteorological Offices (AMO), 9 number of Aeronautical Meteorological Stations , 2 number of Seismological Observatories, 1 number of Doppler Weather Radar are established in Gujarat state.

Observational Network :

To collect meteorological data surface, upper air and remotely sensed data, number of meteorological observatories, Automatic weather stations and Doppler Weather Radars are established across the region. There are 15 number of Departmental observatories (among them four observatories recognized as long- term observing station by the World Meteorological Organization for more than 100 years of Hydrology observations), 7 number of Part Time Observatories, 33 number of Automatic Weather Stations, 9 number of KVK Automatic Weather Stations, 24 number of new state of art Automatic weather stations, 66 number of Automatic Rain gauges, 4 number of High Wind Speed recorders, 9 number of Digital Weather Indicating with RVR for aviation meteorological work and 4 upper air observatories. One Doppler weather Radar and various other observing systems. To collect meteorological data surface, upper air and remotely sensed data, number of meteorological observatories, Automatic weather stations and Doppler Weather Radars are established across the region. There are 15 number of Departmental observatories (among them four observatories recognized as long- term observing station by the World Meteorological Organization for more than 100 years of Hydrology observations), 7 number of Part Time Observatories, 33 number of Automatic Weather Stations, 9 number of KVK Automatic Weather Stations, 24 number of new state of art Automatic weather stations, 66 number of Automatic Rain gauges, 4 number of High Wind Speed recorders, 9 number of Digital Weather Indicating with RVR for aviation meteorological work and 4 upper air observatories. One Doppler weather Radar and various other observing systems.

Services :

With time the activities and responsibilities of Met Centre, Ahmedabad has increased in all fields, for rendering the Meteorological services to the general public of the state of Gujarat, and Union Territory of Diu, Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and concerned departments of Central and State Governments like Agriculture, Irrigation, Power, Flood Control, Relief and Rehabilitation, Roadways and Railways etc. All types of information relating to extreme weather like heat wave, cold wave , heavy rainfall . Weather bulletins like state Forecast, press bulletin etc. are issued to the public and State Govt., through the most popular media like Press, Doordarshan and Akashwani and also through social media platform for the safety of life and property. Nowcast bulletin for thunderstorm and lightning activities are also issued at an interval of every three hour. Impact base forecast is also included. Aviation Services to aeronautical communities are one of the valuable services rendered at Ahmedabad Airport. Current Weather information and route weather forecasts are given to air navigators. Hydrometeorological support for flood mainly in the form river sub-basin wise Quantitative precipitation Forecast (QPF) is issued for the seven major rivers viz., Narmada, Tapi, Daman-Ganga, Sabarmati, Banas, Mahi, Satrunji to Central Water Commission during Flood Season (June to October). Flash Flood Guidance bulletin is also issued for flash floods during heavy rainfall events in the jurisdiction of MC Ahmedabad. During non-flood period the task is to maintain all Hydro meteorological rain gauge stations and preparation of various reports. Agro- Meteorological Advisory and Block level forecast is issued twice a week i.e. every Tuesday and Friday for the benefits of farmers of the state. Locust bulletin is also issued quarterly for tracking of Locust insects. GPS based Radiosonde is used to provide the Upper Air Weather profile which are very much useful for the forecasting. Realtime Rainfall Monitoring is an important activity under District Wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS) for rainfall appraisal of the State Gujarat, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Diu. This office monitors the realtime rainfall for all districts of the Gujarat state, Daman, Dadra Nagar Haveli and Diu UTs on daily / weekly / Monthly / Seasonal / Annual basis based on 365 stations in the form form of maps and tables.

Objectives :

• To take meteorological observations and to provide current weather data and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, floods etc.
• To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, fisherman fraternity, port warning, dust storms, heavy rains, cold and heat waves, etc., which cause destruction of life and property.
• To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource, management, industries, oil exploration, Health Care Sector, Power Sector, Railway and other nation-building activities.
• To provide Hydrometeorological support required for riverine flood forecast and issuance of flash flood guidance bulletin to mitigate flood disaster.
• To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.
• Public awareness activities regarding the familiarization of IMD services are arranged regular basis for School/ college/ university/ Medical college students as well as government officials.